FILE PHOTO: Nov 2, 2019; Arcadia, CA, USA; Abel Cedillo aboard Mongolian Groom (blue jacket, red cap) during the post parade before the Longines Breeders’ Cup Classic in the 36th Breeders Cup world championships at Santa Anita Park. Mongolian Groom was euthanized after the race. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports
December 19, 2019
LOS ANGELES (Reuters) – There was no criminal animal cruelty or unlawful conduct at Southern California’s Santa Anita Park this year despite a spate of high-profile horse deaths, Los Angeles County District Attorney Jackie Lacey said on Thursday.
Investigators looked at a decade’s worth of data and found that 49 horses died at Santa Anita Park during the 2018-19 financial year, fewer than the 71 who perished in 2011-12 but more than the 37 who died in 2010-11.
“Horse racing has inherent risks but is a legally sanctioned sport in California,” Lacey said in the report.
“Greater precautions are needed to enhance safety and protect both horses and their riders.”
Lacey said that while her office lacks legal jurisdiction to regulate the industry, she plans to sponsor legislation to create greater transparency of veterinary records for horses training and racing on California tracks.
The report also included more than two dozen recommendations on how to improve safety at tracks including an annual report on equine fatalities, greater government oversight of facilities, potentially stiffer penalties for violations and a telephone hotline to report animal cruelty.
Horse fatalities at the famed venue grabbed headlines this year including the death of Mongolian Groom during the nationally televised $6 million Breeders’ Cup Classic in November.
(Reporting by Rory Carroll; Editing by Ken Ferris)
